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South African Province to Dispense AIDS Drug VOA News 12 Feb 2002 17:42 UTC 
The leader of a power-sharing party in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province says an anti-AIDS drug will be made available to all pregnant women in the province in defiance of the national government's policy.
Inkhatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi said Tuesday that health facilities in KwaZulu-Natal will provide the drug Nevirapine to the women, including those who do not have AIDS.
The move defies a South African government policy that provides the drug only at 18 national test sites.
Mr. Buthelezi said last year about 40,000 babies were born HIV positive in KwaZulu-Natal.
South Africa's Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang defended the national government's policy, saying more proof is needed about the effectiveness of Nevirapine in curtailing AIDS before it is distributed on a national level.
South African President Thabo Mbeki and his government have resisted making the drug available to pregnant woman in South Africa, despite a court order to do so. The government says the drug may not be safe and requires more testing. The president has also questioned the link between HIV and AIDS.
Research shows that one in nine South Africans are HIV positive. A government study last year found that up to seven million South African people could die of AIDS by the year 2010.
Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.
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